Building a healthy gut is one of the most important things you can do for a strong and resilient body. Not only is it responsible for digestion, but the gut also impacts your immune system and mental health. The benefits of probiotics (supplements that support the ‘good’ bacteria your gut) and prebiotics (the fibre those bacteria feed off) are well-documented, but now there’s a third step in your good gut routine: postbiotics. 

While the research is still in its early days, it could take everything we know about digestion even further. But what are postbiotics, what’s their purpose and how can you start harnessing their power?  We asked the experts…

There are many supplements that promise to lure you out of your winter slump, but nothing does the trick quite like vitamin D. It’s the key to a stronger immune system, especially in low-light weather, which is why the NHS recommends taking a supplement during the colder months. But why not also support your body with natural sources, too? 

Mushrooms are one of the only plant sources of the vitamin and placing them in direct sunlight for up to two hours before cooking can increase their levels of the nutrient to 10 micrograms per 100g, helping you to hit your total recommended daily intake. Fungi are also packed with energy-extracting B vitamins and a load of antioxidants to not only push through that aggressive cold that’s doing the rounds, but also help your body defeat it. Paired with energising, slow-release wholegrain rice and packed with a total of eight plant sources, this is winter comfort food at its medicinal best.